Classes of Feeds for Horses Presentation Part 4: Roughages (Continued 2) #8895-B

Processing Hay Traditionally processed in square bales “Three-strand bale” pounds “Two-strand bale” - 66 pounds

Processing Hay Occasional use of large round bales to supplement pastures pounds

Processing Hay Cubes or Wafers Approximately 1.5 cubic inches in size More costly than baling Easier, lessens transportation cost, & decreases storage space requirements

Pasture Horses living in pastures usually use live plants as their main source of roughage May consist of grasses, legumes, and forbs – Forbs - nongrasslike plants relatively free of woody tissue

Pasture Nutrient content may vary in annual pastures depending on type of pasture and growing season Annual - plants completing their life cycle from seed in one growing season

Pasture First part of growing season - pasture high in moisture, low in energy content Later in season - moisture content diminishes & nutrient content improves As pasture matures and weathers -becomes deficient in protein, energy, & other nutrients

Pasture Supplemental feeds may need to be provided during low nutrient periods Pasture should consist of mixture of one or two grasses with one or two legumes

Pasture Warm-season perennials preferred are: – Bermudagrass – Johnsongrass – Bluestems – Native grasses Perennials - plants that normally continue to grow for three or more seasons

Pasture Warm season annuals include: – Sorghum-sudan hybrids – Sudans – Millets Cool-season perennials include: – Fescue – Orchardgrass – Timothy – Smooth bromegrass – Perennial ryegrass – Bluegrass

Pasture Cool-season annuals include – Oats – Barley – Wheat – Rye – Annual ryegrass Legumes include: – Alfalfa – Clovers

Pasture Management Improve forage production When using fertilizer, soil should be tested to determine plant nutrient requirements Proper combination of fertilizers helps maintain balance of grasses & legumes

Pasture Management Grasses require nitrogen fertilizer & legumes do not Legumes form symbiotic relationship with soil bacteria to fix atmospheric nitrogen into form plants use Symbiotic - relationship between two living organisms that benefit both

Pasture Management Lack of water stresses plants Irrigate if necessary Soil and plant type determines amount of water used

Pasture Management Pastures should be: Mowed or shredded to maintain grass height Dragged to scatter manure Removed of holes, stumps, and other hazards that could injure horses

Pasture Management Control moles and gophers to prevent tunneling Implement deworming program Regular deworming prevents parasite buildup

Grazing Grazing management crucial in maintaining quality forage Manage so that enough leaf and root reserves remain on plants for subsequent re-growth Tend to spot graze & leave some areas not grazed

Grazing When horses refuse to graze a certain area, move water or feed supplement to encourage horse to graze area Allow to graze with another species such as cattle or sheep to ensure even grazing – exhibit different grazing habits

Grazing Management also includes rotational grazing and stocking rate Several smaller fields better than one large pasture Graze divided pastures in rotation, allowing others to be irrigated, mowed or fertilized more easily

Grazing Common causes of pasture deterioration: – Overcrowding and Overgrazing Rotational grazing decreases problems Supplementing with hay and grain & removing horses from pastures for four hours daily can also prevent overgrazing

Grazing To estimate the amount of pasture required per horse: Average mature horse eats 2.5% of its body weight in dry matter per day (1000 pound horse consumes 25 pounds of dry matter each day or 750 pounds per month)

Grazing Forage production varies from 1-10 tons or more per acre each month Uses about 60% of forage Determine length of growing season

Grazing Calculate the number of horses per month per acre In general, a mature horse requires a minimum of two acres. A pony or yearling needs one acre